We need volunteers for a food drive

At the Rainier Valley Food Bank, we don't need the news to tell us the recession is here, we see the reality of it every week. In May 2008, we provided food for nearly 5,000 people. In October 2008, that number jumped to 9,200 — nearly 100% increase in just five months.

So, we need all the help we can get to keep those shelves stocked and funds in the bank. Safeway has agreed to allow us to hold a drive at a Rainier Valley store, and we sure could use your help spreading the word and collecting food.

Arts Gumbo: World Music of Peace

Don't miss our final Arts Gumbo performance this Saturday, Dec 13th at 7pm with vocal percussion ensemble Abrace and The MB Orchestra! Learn about Ladino (Jewish) and Arabic music, with multi-lingual songs from around the globe, featuring Middle Eastern and Afro-Brazilian dance. Evening includes free song-arranging workshop at 8:15pm for audience members and Middle Eastern tasters served at 8:45pm.

New Listening Mothers group

Starting on Friday, January 9, 2009, Listening Mothers will begin a group at Seattle Home Maternity Service (map).

Listening Mothers is a small group for moms with babies 0-6 months of age. The group focuses on the mother's and baby's experience and the relationship they share. It's an opportunity to connect with other moms in a safe and supportive environment with a trained facilitator to learn about the emotional development of babies, as well as the rich and sometimes intense emotional experience as a mom. Integrating recent research findings with the intuition and understanding mothers have for their babies sets the foundation for long lasting emotional health.

This Listening Mothers group will meet from 1-2:30 PM on Fridays for 8 sessions beginning January 9 and ending February 27, 2009. The next group held in Columbia City is scheduled to start on March 6, 2009. For more information about this valuable program, you can check out their website or email me at moc.liamg|oerbma#moc.liamg|oerbma.

If you or someone you know has had a baby in the last six months, please spread the word. We welcome the opportunity to help parents and children deepen their relationship, come to know themselves and their babies better, and find more confidence in their own native parenting wisdom.

Drop by the Rainier Valley Cultural Center this Saturday, Dec 13th between 10-1pm for a free Lantern-Making workshop hosted by The Gateway Group & SEEDArts. Bring a tin can that has been filled with water and frozen overnight or we will have one for you, while supplies last!

Then, join us on Sun, Dec 21st for the first South Seattle Solstice: Festival of Lights. We will meet at the Rainier Valley Cultural Center parking lot at 4pm with our lanterns and noisemakers and head south to Hillman City to celebrate community on the darkest day of the year, with light, music & refreshments.

Columbia Citizens benefit from the effective hard work of many community organizations. As you complete your year-end giving, please include one or more of our neighborhood nonprofits in your plans. Thank you.

March For Youth planning

A party to celebrate Obama! Be a part of the movement to improve the lives of youth in our community - join the next March for Youth planning meeting:

Start your holiday shopping in Columbia City at ARTIQUE: A Holiday Gift Shop of small works and contemporary crafts. Featuring handmade works by Seattle artisans, craftspeople and designers, with gift items ranging from $5 to $500. Artique will be open til January 18th!

You Art What You Eat: Verve Wine Bar & Cellar

Dine at Verve Wine Bar & Cellar, 3820 S Ferdinand St, Ste 102), on Wednesday, December 17th anytime between 4-10pm and a percentage of the proceeds will benefit SEEDArts!

The Annual Fund supports all SEEDArts programs, including the Columbia City Gallery, the Rainier Valley Cultural Center, the Rainier Valley Youth Theatre, and the Public Art Program. Contribute to SEEDArts Annual Fund today!

In 2004, looking for ways to more actively promote the causes in which he believes, Benton founded his own events firm, Musica. Through it, he has sponsored a voter-registration drive, annual black history celebrations and several music festivals showcasing local hip-hop artists. On Saturday, Musica will hold a children's health, nutrition and early learning fair.